Living a Cross-Centered Life: Hebrews Chapter Nine

How I have enjoyed reading your comments. We are in overwhelming agreement that Chapter 8 was a very powerful lesson. God’s Hebrews 4:12 living and active Word is truly coming alive for us! This week will be no different. In Chapter Nine, we will compare and contrast the Old Covenant Sanctuary and the New Covenant Sanctuary. Again taking us deep into Old Testament history.

Throughout these many chapters, the author of Hebrews has given us glimpses of the sanctuaries, but this week his letter culminates in a most beautiful lesson of the value of these two holy places and how they relate to our faith.

And let us not forget that the author of Hebrews never condemns the Old Covenant system. He exalts it, recognizing that its people, rituals, and ceremonies have great value because God instituted them. However, he is adamant that his audience, and we, understand God created them solely for the purpose of foreshadowing what was to come. They all pointed to the coming of Christ.

I love what John MacArthur says of the Tabernacle, “The Tabernacle is important and demands attention to our study, because it is a giant portrait of Jesus Christ. Everywhere you can see Him.”

Don’t you love that?! As we open the pages of Chapter Nine, let us ask the Lord for an extra measure of His Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation to enable us to see Christ in each and every detail of that giant portrait!

Let’s dig in…..

This Week’s Memory Verse: …For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22b

This Week’s Prayer:Heavenly Father, thank You that You redeemed me from the curse of sin and death. Thank You that by the shedding of Your blood, You forgave all my sin….past, present, and future. Father, I claim Your promise that by Your stripes, I am healed. Thank You that I have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart. Thank You that Your love abides in me richly and flows through every part of my body. Help me to live every day in the presence and fullness of that abiding love… loving others…forgiving others…just as You have done and will continue to do for me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Assignment: Read Hebrews Chapter Nine

Homework Questions:

1. Read Hebrews 9:2-5. If you are interested in a more detailed description and the instructions as to how it was made, read Exodus Chapters 25 and 26 and/or Exodus 36:8-38. Draw or describe what you would see if you walked into the Tabernacle.

2. According to Hebrews 9:2, what do you find in the first room? What was this room called?

Read Exodus 25:31-40 and draw or describe the lampstand.

Read Exodus 25:23-30 and draw or describe the table and what was on the table.

Read John 6:32-33 and share how it relates to the bread on the table.

*Clarification. The author of Hebrews lists the Incense Altar as being in the Holy of Holies (Most Holy Place), but it was not. It was part of the ministry of the Holy of Holies, but it rested just on the other side of the curtain in The Holy Place. To learn more about this altar, read Exodus 30:1-10.*

3. What was between the first room and the second room?

4. According to Hebrews 9:3-4, what was the next room called and what was in it?

Read Hebrews 9:4-5. What was in and around the Ark? To learn more about the Ark, read Exodus 25:10-22.

What do Psalm 80:1, Psalm 99:1, and Isaiah 6:1-4 add to our discussion?

5. For a deeper understanding of the Old Covenant system of sacrifices as it relates to the role of the High Priest, read Leviticus 16:1-34.

What do these verses speak to you?

How would you feel if we still lived by this law today? Would your faith be different? If so, how?

According to Hebrews 9:7 (and the Leviticus reading), what was the High Priest required to offer in the Holy of Holies?

6. Read Hebrews 9:11-14.

List as many differences as you can find in verse 11 and 12 between the old order and the new order.

7. Read Hebrews 9:13-14.

What was the purpose under the old system of blood sacrifices?

Read Genesis 3:6-15, 21 and Exodus 12:3-13. Explain how blood played a part in God’s saving grace even before the Tabernacle and before Jesus.

What price did God ultimately pay for saving grace?

8. According to Hebrews 9:11-15, what things were accomplished by the blood of Jesus and how was His sacrifice different from all prior sacrifices?

*If you want to go deeper, read the following verses and share how they speak to this question: John 10:17-18, Romans 3:23-26, 5:8-9, Colossians 1:13-14, 19-20, and 1 Peter 1:18-21. *

9. Read Hebrews 9:18-20 and Exodus 24:6-8. Explain how Moses used blood in relation to the Old Covenant and write the words he spoke.

10. If today we live under the New Covenant, under Jesus’ shed blood, which changes us from the inside out, why do you think so many of us continue to live with guilt and shame? Do you personally struggle with these emotions? Why?

11. Read Romans 8:1-4, 32-35. How do these passages speak to what we have learned in this chapter? To your personal life?

12. Read Hebrews 9:24-28.

Where does verse 24 tell us Jesus entered? Why does this verse tell us Jesus went there?

Contrast the two sanctuaries.

How many times does the author use the word “appear.” Share what each tense used means for us as children of God.

Read John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:21-55, and 1 John 3:2 and share what they teach about Jesus’ return.

I ended my video message with the story of Barabbas. Barabbas went free not because he deserved it but because Jesus took his place. Will you take some time to thank Jesus today? Find a precious, personal way to thank Jesus for the sacrifice He made just for you on Calvary.

Wendy wow what a great study this is. I find myself craving more and more of Him the deeper I dig. I am so blessed by all the comments too. I do have a question maybe one of you could clear it up for me. In question 7 I am not seeing the connection to Gen 3:6-15, 21. Am I missing or overlooking something?

I think this reference to Genesis might be a misprint, however Wendy can clarify that for us. I did a word seach on “blood” in BibleGateway and the only references in Genesis about blood was mostly related to family blood relationships. There was one scripture that mentions blood
giving life.

Genesis 9:4
But you must not eat meat that still has blood in it, because blood gives life.

Hey y’all. I haven’t started yet, but saw your question. Take a closer look at Gen 3:15, this is the first mention of God sending a Savior.

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

God is speaking to the serpent {the Devil} telling him that Eve’s offspring will crush his head even as the Devil strikes at His heel. The Devil stuck a blow at Jesus through the cross, but Jesus ultimately crushed the Devil through His resurrection. It was through the spilling of Jesus’ blood that we are redeemed. This was foreshadowed with the Passover Lamb. It was with the blood of this lamb that the first born was saved from a physical death, Jesus’ blood {the blood of the Lamb} that saved us from eternal death and separation from God.

I had you read Genesis 3 to discover the first time we see blood shed to cover guilt and shame in Scripture. After Adam and Eve sinned, they felt intense shame as they realized their nakedness. They hid from God, and to cover the guilt and shame, they used leaves. These were inadequate to really cover and protect them on a long term basis.

Genesis 3:21 says, “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” Moved by grace and compassion, God made this “clothing” for them. He covered their nakedness. In order to make the animal skins, God had to kill the animals, thus shedding blood. Some say this is a foreshadowing of what Christ accomplished for His people on the cross. And His “clothing,” His robe of righteousness, now covers us and all our shame. We are now forgiven, never to feel guilt and shame again.

I hope this helps you understand why I sent you to Genesis Chapter 3.

Heather, I love what you wrote as well. It is a GREAT summary of a powerful Truth!!

WOW Wendy….I have goosebumps seeing the connection you and Heather made with this scripture. It amazes me how there is that common thread of Christ that runs all though the bible. This study has made me crave Him more and more. Thanks Wendy!

I had never thought of Gen 3 as the first time we see blood shed for sin. If I stopped right here in this study that “enlightment” would be enough. It is so true God will open our minds so that we can understand the scriptures when we seek Him. I read this last night and have been praising God all day for Who He Is.

Thank you Wendy! I love the meat you are feeding us, no more milk!!! Keep it up.

This part about the animal skins. Never thought about the correlation between this covering and the clothes of righteousness we have with Christ’s blood. Very interesting.
On a different perspective this is the first taste of death because the animals would have had to die to give us their coats and this must have been so heartbreaking especially for Adam who named these animals.

I am catching up on my study and was really confused about this question and came to the comments and “Wah-LA” here is the answer! Thanks to you all, and you especially Wendy. I am gald for the explanation because I didn’t see that at all. Interesting and insightful.

I ave just started 9 but question two is so cool! thru the ex description of the tabernacle you can see the beauty and feel how much God loves beautiful things.Gold silver blue purple I can just see it. just from the beauty point of view. Wow!!!! ok on to question 3

I just finished answering question 5 where you ask us to read Leviticus 16. After reading what Aaron had to go through in order to present the sacrifices for himself and the people of Israel, it’s incredibly humbling to think that we have such easy access to God through Christ. Because of His holiness, He was so specific with His instructions to the high priest. And yet all I did was believe and call on the name of Jesus for salvation. WOW!

I haven’t posted much, but I’m still with you. This is a great study. Thanks, Wendy!

Is is beautiful, isn’t it, how simple it is for us? We simply believe with our heart and confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord!! No rules, no regulations, no animals, no blood, no incense. We are so blessed to be New Covenant believers!

Hi, I’m a bit late replying to chapter 8 but it took me a while to get my head around it. Heb 8:10 in particular had me baffled. I wondered how God writes the law on our hearts. In the old testament God used punishment, rewards, visual reminders to teach the law. In the new testament and through Jesus, God shows us his heart, his ability to feel deeply. His compassion, sacrifice, unconditional love, forgiveness turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.
Hosea 2:19
“I will make you my wife forever,
showing you righteousness and justice,
unfailing love and compassion.
I will be faithful to you and make you mine,
and you will finally know me as the LORD”
God is great!
xxx

I am on the question 6 about the differences between the old and new systems. I just wanted to meditate on those verses yesterday. The blood of Christ’s offering was his own blood, not the blood of animals. He entered into the Holy Place and obtained eternal redemption for us. WOW

“For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22b. I feel as if this truth is being permanently and indelibly etched into my heart, It makes me humble. It makes me cry, tears of mourning and of joy. As my old creation is the woman at the well or the woman who would have been stoned for adultery, I am humbled. Truly I am forgiven much, and that I am grateful and full of love for Jesus.

Thanks again, Wendy, for this study. Deeper and deeper we go. I have an anchor for my soul. It is well.

Living in God’s Word is beyond anything I could possible imagine. God is alive and active. I am in 3 studies, Wendy’s Blessed Hebrews study, Beth Moore’s James Mercy Triumphs and driving an hour and a half one way to participate in Beth Moores Deuteronomy study on Tuesday nights and I still want more!

Wendy, how very special to me the first blood sacrifice for us in Genesis which I had never thought about and can hardly wait until I can share with anyone when given the opportunity. God really loves us.

I have Ladies Bible Class this morning then my afternoon will be spent studying Hebrews! I am happy to say my house is a mess, laundry needs to be done, what is a grocery store?

Keep your ear tuned if you ever have an opportunity to visit this Tabernacle replica that is set up all over the United States ( there may be a way to search nearest location to you on the website) it is amazing, and will give you a better sense of what the Tabernacle was like. I was fortunate to tour it while I was in the A Woman’s Heart God’s Dwelling Place Study by Beth Moore. This study is an 10 week study with dvd and homework workbook. Highly recommend it for anyone that can join a local Ladies Bible Class that may be using the study. Here is the website for the Traveling Tabernacle. http://www.mbsanctuary.com/

As I listed what was in the Ark, I thought it’s all we need. gold jar of manna (Bread/Food Christ) Aarons staff that had budded (Life) and the stone tablets (God’s Word written by God) So Christ, Life, and God. All this covered by Angel wings. Thank You God, and then as I type this a verse I love…Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with His feathers…. Seriously can it get any better?

Wendy your comment about a New Testament picture had me thinking further. The Mercy Seat is “lost”, which is fitting. Jesus (our Bread) now gives us Life (budding staff) through God’s Holy Spirit and the alive and active Word of God. We can go to the Mercy Seat anytime. God takes my breath away!…and gives me Life. Psalm 27:4 yes please.

Yanna, I agree. I’ve had the same thought about the lampstand. How it looks like the vine and the branches. I love how God puts his fingerprints of Jesus on EVERYTHING! Waves of mercy, waves of grace. Everywhere I look I see your face. Your love has captured me oh God!

9:6 priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry
9:7 only high priest entered the inner room, only once a year, only with blood, making an offering for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance
9:9 these gifts and sacrifices were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper
9:10 were temporary ‘external regulations’
9:11 were offered in a man-made tabernacle
9:12 blood of goats and calves
9:13 the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer could only ‘sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean’.
9:18 not put into effect without blood
9:22 the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness
9:24 they were offered in a man-made sanctuary, which was only a copy of the true one
9:25 high priest enters the Most Holy Place again and again, year after year high priest enters with blood that is not his own

B. THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS CHRIST (Once for all times sacrifice of Christ)

9:9 (by inference) able to clear the conscience of the worshipper
9:12 he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption
9:14 the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanses our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God
9:15 he died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant
9:25 he does not have to enter heaven to offer himself again and again
9:26 he appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself
9:28 Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is complete and permanent, something that has happened once-for-all in the one act of Jesus Christ, something that never was and never could be done by the old sacrifices. This one, once-for-all, never to be repeated, permanent in its effect, sacrifice of Christ has:
The redemption it obtained is eternal (9:12).
It cleanses our consciences (9:14).
It liberates us to serve God (9:14).
It sets us free from sins (9:15).
It does away with sin (9:26).

Thank you Charlotte! I copied this for my Hebrews notebook pages. Simple and concise makes it easier for me to remember. Keep up the research and opening our minds to understand the scripture through God’s work in you!

I haven’t even started on Chapter Nine :(, been a busy, busy week for me, but the laundry running, coffee has been made, my other Bible studies are all caught up, and I have the house to myself for the next 5-6hrs. Time to dive in to Hebrews 9!!! I can’t wait to get started and see where this chapter will take my heart. Thank you again Wendy for putting so much time and energy into providing us with such a deep and rich study of God’s Word.

Hi Wendy,
I prayed and asked God to give me a hunger and thirst for His word like I’ve never had before in 2012. I had become stagnant and complacent in my study and prayer life. I was tired of drinking milk and knew it was time to eat meat. The Lord led me back to the Proverbs 31 Ministries. He just laid this ministry on my heart out of ” no where” so to speak. I had encountered this ministry about 5-6 years ago or longer online, but had forgotten all about it. Wow! how it has grown. It’s here that I began to look for a bible study. P31 had just what I needed.

The Holy Spirit knew just what I needed. I’m now doing the Psalm study and RTW (One Year Chronological Bible) with Wendy Pope and I love it. Then the Holy Spirit lead me to your page and I found: Cultivating a Hear of Prayer. Again, God knows just what I need. I see that it’s not the new study but it’s what I need. I use it as my devotion (daily & weekly) devotions. I have done week two twice and I’m now going into week three.I’m just so amazed in such a short period of time what God is doing in my prayer life as I purposely sit in His presence and meditate and pray His Word back to him. I truly feel His presence and His power. I’m just beside myself. (smile) Every moment I can get I look for an opportunity to pray and be in God’s prsence. I think I’m getting addicted (lol)

Wendy I also just joined in the Hebrews Study on chapter Nine and signed up for the lessons. Wow I’m loving it. At first I said to myself wow, this is too much reading and I won’t be able to keep up. (I know I started complaining). But, then I remembered my prayer and I’ve always wanted to study Hebrews. So I’ve been turning off the TV in the evening for 45 minutes to an hour to spend time reading, praying and answering the questions. I’m so excited about this study until I’m ready to “jump out of my skin.”. I mean this what you call “digging deeper.” I’m just get caught up in God’s word. I know that I will have to go back and catch up with chapters 1-8, and I will make time to do it.

I shared all of this to say that when we seek God with our whole heart, a sincere heart He does hear and answer. I’m so excited about this new season that the Lord is bringing me into. I thank God for the women and men that labour before Him to make all of this possible for people like me. Blessing to you Wendy and the PS31 Ministry. I pray that the Lord will one day start a P31 Ministries to Phiadelphia, PA.(smile). Just a thought.

I found your comment!! Yay! I had to approve it before it would post for some reason. Not sure why it showed up and then went away, but I am so thankful I found it. How blessed I am by your words about the on-line studies and about P31. I also love hearing the enthusiasm in your heart (through your words) to be digging deeper into the Word. You are why I do what I do. Reading comments like yours confirms my calling and my passion. Thank you for taking the time to share. May God continue to take you to rich and deep places in your faith journey with Him!!

Wendy, thanks so much for your reply. The enemy has been trying to convince me since yesterday that I had done something wrong and that you didn’t want me on your blog. I should have known better.(smile).

In reading the description of the lampstand I see Jesus. Jesus is light – the lampstand, I am the vine you are the branches,remain in me – the buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand. This is so cool, is this more foreshadowing of Christ? Everything God does for us seems to be revealed little by little, step by step, stages, layers, repetition, foreshadowing. He knows my/our human nature, our ways. He knows best how I learn and how I accept what He reveals. His desire is for me to get it, so He reveals to me in a way so I do get it. God is so good!

yes debe it is. The Lampstand also was representative of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, and the Holy Spirit is the oil in the Lampstand….I also loved the smoke from the incenses in the Tabernacle represents our prayers rising. So fascinating to go deep in the study of the Tabernacle. I also just learned from the Deuteronomy study the Israelites were 11 days from reaching the Promised Land 11 days travel time according to their means of trave. (Deut 1:2) Because of their disobedience the journey was exttended 40 years (wandering the desert which should have taken 11 days) and most of the generation who received the promise died! So we should not “wander in a desert” 40 years before we know God and have a relationship with Him and obey because we love Him….Move on! My added lesson for the day.

I am JUST starting Chapter 9, and have enjoyed everyone’s comments. I just finished reading the chapters in Exodus describing the tabernacle design. I loved reading about the curtain that seperated the Holy of Holies and The Holy Place. My Bible had a note referencing when Jesus died, the curtain in the temple split in two….i got goosebumps…what a symbol of the old covenant being finished and the new covenant coming into place. Because of Jesus, we don’t need anyone to mediate on our behalf for our sins..He has allowed us direct access to Himself.! I am so thankful for this reminder and continue to be in awe how the OT is a complete foreshadowing of Jesus!
WEndy, you also quote John MacArthur a bunch…is there a specific commentary you are using?
You are loved and and I continue to be blessed by you!!!!!

Sorry for another post…haha:) But as I was reading about the Lord’s specific instructions on how to build the tabernacle, He reminded me of how when He calls us to do something…He will give us EVERY SINGLE DETAIL…He doesn’t call us to something without giving a specific plan. I am just amazed at how He provided the minutest detail of what/how it was to be built. If He cared about the smallest detail of the tabernacle, how He cares even more of the details of our lives!

This week I received a spelling book from a religious supply company and they included a tract. Listen to this- “In order for a will to take effect, it must be shown that the one who made it has died. A will is used only after a person is dead because it goes into effect only when a person dies.” (Heb 9:16-17) This is what we all just read this week. The tract goes on to say the Mosaic Law was thus in force only until the death of Christ…when God in Christ brought a new will and sealed it with His own blood, it became binding, and the first became of no legal status in His sight, despite the fact that it was holy, and just, and good (Rom 7:12). Dear sisters, we are NOT under the old covenant! Think of this when our corrupt nature (Romans 8) tries to suck us back into the works of the Law. This new law is written in our hearts and we are empowered to keep the everlasting covenant to the glory of Christ our Savior. Please keep passing this love note along!

Sandra… I am in love with this truth!! Having had my parents die 10 years ago, the word “will” has always brought up very heavy emotions because in my heart, I’ve always associated it with severe loss. This definitely comes with a severe loss, but the greatest gain… so intense I cannot comprehend. Amen! Thank you!!! xoxo

I am in awe… the old Tabernacle was inaccessible to the people. If you and I were Israelites, we wouldn’t be able to sprint into our Abba Daddy’s arms. We would have been stopped at the first entrance. We would have needed to bring a sacrifice (that thought alone hurts my heart greatly). From there, the priest would take over. We would wait for that one time each year to be “right” with God, all done by the high priest. And when our priest did that, he didn’t linger in God’s presence. He had to hurry in and out. The earthly Tabernacle was ineffective in changing our hearts.

Of course, that’s exactly the opposite of our reality in Jesus today. We can come running to Him and He’s all about changing our lives! There’s no hurrying in and out of His presence. He loves us to linger and stay with Him. I continue to try to grasp the enormity that Jesus went to the very presence of God for me. For you. And there is no ritual we need to go through to worship Him. I love how Jesus answered the woman at the well who asked Him how to worship God, “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” (John 4:23 NLT)

We can worship Him in our quiet times… on the freeway… at work… anywhere… anytime… all the time!!!! CRAZY love.

Thank you Wendy… thank you sisters… this study continues to be a blessing beyond measure.

Oh, how I LOVE that we can run into His arms whenever and wherever we need. I cannot imagine what it must have felt like to be “shut out” from God…to rely on someone else to communicate our sin and regret to God. It makes me feel so sad for them and so VERY THANKFUL that we live after the cross!!

Hopefully my last comment for Hebrew’s 9. Wendy I love the if you want to go deeper in our lesson plans. John 10:17-18 has a whew heart stopping moment in my notes. The phrase that hit me “This is why my Father loves me…” because Jesus obeyed. Jesus chose death. He could have called 10,000 angels. Jesus through dying chose Life. then John 3:16 “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. God gave us Jesus. Jesus gave us Life, commanded by God. Jesus obeyed because of love. God gave because of love. It is all about love. Sums up everything, every need, every purpose, every action, every emotion, thought. I wrote this out in my notes.
L ook
O observe
V voice
E ncourage – Extol (Psalm 34:1)

to remind me of my obedience in Christ. Look for ways to Love. Observe ways to give hope. Use my voice to share God’s love and encourage others with God’s love and extol His praise at all times. In my family, with friends, in the grocery store, where ever with strangers….look at others through the eyes of Jesus. Ask God every day show me Your glory, and let me not miss and opportunity today to share it.

Okay, one more after listening to the video. In the OT description of the Tabernacle, Numbers 2 might seem sort of boring to read. I learned in the Woman’s Heart God’s Dwelling place if you will picture in your mind (or look at a replica of the Tabernacle) the tents set up around the Tabernacle for the different tribes. Like as if the Blights camped in the East, the Westmoreland’s in the South etc. all around the Tabernacle. Look at the total of the Blight’s tribes, the tribe in the South, North and East and think about the number of people clustered around the edges….I even draw little boxes to show who has the most in their family (Tribe) totals are given in Numbers 2. Get ready sweet sisters…. our familes are in the shape of a cross. Do you get it….As God moved the Tabernacle in a cloud by day He looked down on a “cross” of people. Talk about foreshadowning! Our God is Awesome never ever forget it.

oh and the Tribe of Judah camped in the East. Jesus is from the Tribe of Judah, coming back in the East one day for us, and the Garden of Eden has an angel on the East. So learn the Tabernacle which way it faces…the sun rises from the East so will Jesus, the Son of God.

Total in Tribes to help you:
Judah East 186,400
Reuben South 151,450
Ephraim West 108,100
Dan North 157,600
Numbers 2:32 Levites not counted Numbers 3:6-8 their job..

I am truly amazed at the insight and knowledge that we learn from each other while doing this study. We are each one like a seasoned ingredient that is added to this beautiful food that God started and it is requiring each one of us to “shake our seasoning” into this main course to make it delicious “meat” for us to eat. Deliciously nourishing to our spirit!

Charlotte you certainly have a way with words! Beautiful analogy. Heaven will certainly be a feast. Can you imagine sitting around the Lord’s table and the discussions we will all have and with the people who lived it, seasoned the meat for us! Deliciously nourishing for sure.

Definitly my favorite chapter yet:) As I was finishing the questions all I could think of was “Amazing love, amazing grace.” Jesus has forgiven us, love us, and continues to intercede for us. He is active! Simply amazing:)

After studying this chapter(I am finally done with it!) I realize again that the old testament sacrifices helped with our sin problem, but didn’t solve it .Jesus paid the price to give us the inside cleaning that we needed/need!

I am responding to the P31 Women’s Ministries Daily Devotions, 2/3/12 by you entitled “I choose NOT to be Offended”. This could not have come at a better time. My heart has been so heavy and trouble by the enemy repeating in my head and interpreting negative things that people may or may not have said to me. My husband even said to me two days ago that I have been so hateful the past two weeks. I told him I know and that I just didn’t know what to do about it between tears. I prayed like I do every night lifting people up; however, this time I included myself and what I was REALLY feeling. Releasing that burden is amazing!! I must say that the Lord does provide a peace that passes understanding. I have known that all along by praying for others and for other occasions were I have went to the Lord. Thanks so much for the references. God Bless!